It happens to all of us: you realize you’re getting sick. Exercising 3 to 4 times a week, for 30 minutes at a time, can boost your immunity and prevent illness. However, training in extreme conditions can lower your immunity to disease.
Of course you need to pay attention to your body and respond appropriately when youre sick; is it appropriate to continue to exercise? The answer, as you might expect, is sometimes yes and sometimes no.
Sometimes its okay to work out while sick, but there are times when exercise is only going to make you sicker.
You can assess whether or not you should exercise, based on what your body tells you. Keep in mind that no matter how mild your sickness is, overworking your body will make it harder to recover from your sickness.
The first step is simple: Ask yourself how you really feel. If you are honest with yourself, you will know if you are simply tired and run-down, or if your body is fighting some ugly bug. If you are simply tired, shake it off and go exercise! If you honestly think you are sick, proceed to Step two.
Step two is called The Neck Check. Consider exactly where on your body you feel symptoms of sickness. Congestion is generally above the neck, and a headache is obviously above the neck. Nausea and lower gastrointestinal distress are definitely below the neck.
Generally, if your major symptoms are above the neck, its OK to exercise within reason. In fact, exercise can counteract your above-the-neck symptoms and make you feel better!
Symptoms below the neck are generally more debilitating. In these cases, consider avoiding exercise and rest your body. For example, it is a good idea not to work out if you have a lower gastrointestinal infection.
The Neck Check helps determine whether or not to work out; taking your temperature is vital.
A fever is simply your body heating up in response to illness. If you have a fever, lets say at 101 degrees Fahrenheit or above, do not work out. Exercise heats your body, too; if you work out while you have a fever you can overheat your body very quickly.
When you do get sick, your body needs a week to 10 days to recover from most common illnesses. While you are sick pay close attention to your body: are you simply tired, or really sick? Do the Neck Check and take your temperature; exercise may still be what the doctor orders.